Air Week: March 31-April 6, 2025
Early Etta James
Producer Jerry Wexler called Etta James, “The greatest of all modern blues singers.” That’s great praise coming from a guy who worked with the greatest of the greats for 50 years. Etta had an amazing talent for mixing a bit of tenderness and heartbreak into her gritty, tough and soulful voice. She had a style all her own and she played by her own rules. Her success on record was equally matched by her personal failures off-mic, dealing with drug addiction, bad relationships and financial problems. On this week’s “Juke In The Back,” Matt The Cat looks at how this incredible legend got started, focusing on Etta’s first recordings from 1954 to her great rise in 1960. Through these records, you’ll hear that even in her early days, Etta’s music had great depth and variety. We honor the late, great Etta James, this week on the “Juke In The Back.”
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